Ditching-machine



N0 Model.)

F. PLUMB,

DITGHING MACHINE.

Apr. 21, 1885.

Pate

J UE

H H m WITNESSES ATTORNEY N. PETERS FlwwLilhogmpher. Washington. D, C.

' NITED was FAVVOETT PLUMB,. OF STREATOR, ILLINOIS.

DITCHING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 316,396, dated April 21-, 1

Applicalion filed August 1, 1884. (No model.)

'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in ditchingmachines, particularly to devices used in connection with ditching-machines for determining the grade of the ditch.

Hitherto the grade of the ditch has been determined by an adjustable sight secured to the frame-work of the machine, in connection with a line of stakes set in advance of the machine, or by a rail secured to posts and adapted to form a support for the machine as it advanced. In the first instance the person sighting must keep his position at the rear of the sight, the stakes must be removed as the machine approaches, and the device fails to be of use when it is desired to cut on a curve.

The object of my present invention is to provide a simple and effective means of determining the grade of a ditch either straight or' curved, and which does not require the operator to remain in any particular position about the machine.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of a portion of a ditching-machine with the pointer attached and grade-line in position; and Fig.- 2 is a transverse vertical section through the excavating-wheel, pointer, and grade-line.

- A represents an excavatingwheeljournaled in a vertically-swinging frame, a, the latter being secured to the main frame B of a ditching-machine. The parts of the ditching-machine here shown are constructed and operate in the manner fully described in Letters Patent N 0. 244,400, granted me July 19, 1881. My invention, however, is not limited in its use to this particular machine, but may be used successfully with all machines in which the excavating-wheel is capable of a ready and exact vertical adjustment.

To the swinging frame a a laterally-extending pointer or guide-arm, O, is secured, which extends outward from the machine a distance sufficiently great to carry its outer end beyond the path of the machine-truck, or any distance farther than this which may be found desirable.

E are upright posts firmly secured to the main frame B, and supporting at their upper ends a shaft carrying one or more pulleys, E, over which the ropes F pass. The ropes (if more than one be employed) are connected at one end to the free end of the swinging frame on opposite sides of the excavating-wheel, and are connected at their opposite ends to the drum G, which is operated by an ordinary crank.

A row of stakes, D, is set along the side of the proposed ditch, and, having been cut off at a height corresponding to the grade required, a line, d, is stretched along their tops.

The pointer or guideO is constructed to extend out to the line or over it, and as the machine moves along over uneven ground, performing its work, the swinging-frame, which carries the excavating-wheel, is elevated or depressed to keep the pointer at the height of the line, thus forming the bottom of the ditch on a grade parallel with the line (I.

The pointer being in a position to be readily seen from any portion of the machine, the operator may occupy any positionwhere he is most needed, and at the same time observe the variations of the pointer and regulate the same before the grade becomes disturbed.

I am aware that it is not new to proyi e a ditching-machine with a swinging frame; xe

latter provided at its free end with a project-QM ing guide-arm adapted to rest onarigid grade line or track, by which it is adjusted. I am also aware that a ditching machine frame mounted at its front end on ground-Wheels and provided with devices for vertically adjusting said frame relatively to the groundwheels and with apivoted pointer, the heavier end of the latter adapted to rest on a gradeline, is not new, and hence I make no claim to such construction.

Having fully described my invention, whatI Ice claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters and grade-line secured to a row of stakes, sub- [0 Patent, is stantially as set forth. v

In a ditching-machine, the combination, In testimony whereof I have signed this with a main frame mounted on whee1s,aswingspecification in the presence of two subscribing 5 ing frame pivotally secured to the main frame, witnesses.

an excavating-wheel mounted on the swinging FAWOETT PLUMB. frame, and ropes or chains anda drum for ele- Witnesses: vating the free end of the swinging frame, of GEORGE GOULDING,

a pointer rigidly secured to the swinging frame J AY BAKER. 

